My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Knot rushing this design moment

18 February 2026
and more

Knot perfect… but enough of what is needed to look simply perfect.

Knot over adding or over working… but stopping at that moment when just enough really is enough.

Knot forcing… instead gently let the plant material guide what just enough designing might look like.

Knot rushing… but noticing that moment when the vine slips into its place, lifting up, just enough.

Knot judging every design choice… instead keep enough space to allow for a bunch of curiosity, a bundle of play and a parcel filled with exploration.

Letting this design moment be enough, just as it is.

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Tutorials

18 February 2026

Knotted parcels to position your plant material in a design

Tie a few Papyrus stems into bundle-parcels with lily grass.

4 July 2018

Bundle Support

Tie a bundle of lily grass in a bundle to offer support for your flowers.

7 May 2014

Rethinking the traditional Komiwara technique

Komiwara is a classic and traditional Ikebana technique used in a Rikka design. Designers would usually bundle straw to keep the flowers in place.

2 August 2017

Two vase, two level Phormium snippets

Design in two levels by using two vases, the smaller slipped into a bigger one.

8 July 2015

Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

10 August 2016

Bamboo frog for a shallow container design

Cut short bamboo lengths to keep your flower material upright in a shallow and narrow container

22 May 2019

Gently peel leaves from the stalk to create a twisted stem end

Roll leaves to create a stopper to keep flowers in place in a bud vase

2 July 2019

Grass Spiral Wind Spinner

Thread grass into flexi grass to create a spinner that gently turns in the wind.

26 February 2020

Weave a grass Platform for an opening Tulip bud

Tulips continue to grow as they open. This means you not only have to be mindful of their proportions as they are now... but also as they will be once open.

26 April 2023

New growth Spring frog

Willow cutting left in water will root and sprout... perfect for a all natural flower frog to admire as is or to keep long stem flowers upright.

21 February 2018

Stem line-up

Line up stems to create a base for the heavy Hanging Heliconia stems

13 July 2016

Woven lily grass parachute armature

Weave a canopy or parachute shaped armature in a way that you can place the stems in two vases to keep it hydrated.

24 August 2022

Balloon out grass to craft a framed armature

Carefully bubble out a tied bunch of grass to make a cavity to display gorgeous flowers.

18 March 2015

Meadow in a bowl

Inspired by a classic and traditional Ikebana technique used in a Rikka design called Komiwara. Designers would usually bundle straw to keep the flowers in place.

14 October 2015

Roll hundreds (yes! hundreds) of autumn leaves so create a natural, upright flower frog

Rolled leaves offer support for floral stems

22 January 2025

Bring out the pretty spots on the lip of this tiny orchid with a dotted twig stump armature

Create a delicate floating and natural display without using floral foam with a twig frog armature.

27 April 2016

Hiding a secret water source in a twig frog

New growth is really difficult to design with and definitely needs to be conditioned and placed in a water source

22 May 2012

Filling a vase with water without disturbing the design details

Break the water flow when you fill a vase with details in that can move with the stream of water

5 February 2020

Pour glue over a stick Bundle to craft a Poke Out Spring stick Armature

Fake an early Spring by crafting a long lasting stick bundle that has a blossoming branch of succulent flowers.

3 December 2014

Magnetic Twig Bundle Boutonniere

Glue a few twigs into a bundle to hide a corsage magnet

Related Designs

4 July 2018

Wonder

Tie a bundle of grass to support your floral details

2 August 2017

Grace

Use snips and snippets and leftovers to create a design of it's own

10 August 2016

Saved up

Cut lengths of bamboo to place in a shallow container as a flower frog

22 May 2019

Putting your own spin on it

I would definitely describe my own personal style as minimalist classic... but with an edgy twist.

3 July 2019

Taking a Breather

A relaxing summer design that spins gently in the wind

26 February 2020

To top it all off

This is a great "space-keeper" design. The tulip will continue to grow into the vase height as they open... but until then the grass platform part of the design diverts your attention to fix any issues you might experience with the proportions right now.